How is Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro as a "fast" walkaround

My fast Nikkor lenses (50 1.8; 85 1.8; 80-200 2.8) have me eyeing a 2.8 replacement for my Sigma 18-200. I also have a Sigma 70-300 APO, so the two Sigmas (and eventually a Tokina 12-24) would make-up my "tourist" set while the Nikkors would take care of sports and more serious photography.

But all this is contingent on finding good, affordable "fast" zoom glass.

For those who have hands on experience (now or in the past), what do you/did you think of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro?

Did Nikon make anything that was in the same range, better, and within 1.5-2x (used) of the sigmas $430 street price?

Here are the players in the Sigma lineup and my experience with them:
EX 24-60/2.8 DG - The best of the group by far I think. Distortion is well controlled compared to the other two, sharpness and IQ are quite good wide open. I shoot mine at f8 most often cause I shoot outdoors. It is still quite good stopped way down for those few times when I really need foreground and background in focus without the ultra-wide angle perspective. It's one of only two zooms I own. The day I discovered this lens the 24-70 went to the For Sale forum. Here are two shots that are pretty typical of how I use it:
With a D1X at 24mm

EX 24-70/2.8 DG Macro - I would expect this to be a much improved version of the older model and reports I've seen seem to bear that out. I think you'll see some positive reviews on fredmiranda.com.

EX 24-70/2.8 - I liked this lens very much. So much so, that I replaced the AF-S Nikkor 24-120 VR with it. Sharp wide open and end to end. Performance, as I recall was quite good overall from wide open to f5.6 and stunning at f8 and beyond. Pop photo reported disappointing distortion I think but that must have been on a film camera. I never noticed it beyond what might be expected on the wide end. Here is a shot that I think shows a distinct lack of distortion and the IQ on this fine lens:

I really want to get a 24-70 F2.8 to replace my kit lens. The 18-24mm range of my 18-70 kit lens isn't often used, and the extra speed would be really nice to have.

I'd be shooting almost exclusively wide open (I love shallow DOF) so sharpness would be critical. 17-55 DX is out of the question financially. The 24-70 seems like an affordable solution. Everyone says that it sucks because 82mm filters are so expensive, but beyond an optical flat, I wouldn't be putting any image-altering glass in front of it.

I've found the Tamron is quite useable wide open (pretty sharp, especially as it approaches f5.6), Low flare and good contrast, And although it doesn't go as wide, It is quite cheap at about $250 Used on here

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